Unemployment Is Down — But Are These Good Times?

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JESSE MIGNEAULT | OP-ED

Unemployment numbers look better than jobs

As we enter 2015, headlines trumpet that the national unemployment rate has sunk to 5.6 percent. An impressive comeback for what had been a bleak situation since the Great Recession kicked off. It would appear that America is once again flush with good jobs.

But, what exactly is a good job? Gallup, the polling and data analysis company, defines a "good job" as one that is 30 or more hours a week and provides a regular paycheck. OK, sounds reasonable. So how many Americans does that apply to in this amazing new economy of limitless employment? According to Gallup it is 44 percent. Yes, that's right — 44 percent of the adult population in the United States has a full-time job. Not so encouraging after all.

Jim Clifton, chairman and CEO at Gallup, pointed out that workers who have part-time jobs and might be working at jobs unrelated to their skills such as engineering, health care or construction are not included in the nation's 5.6 percent unemployment rate. Gallup ranked Connecticut as last among states in hiring climate in 2014 as reported by workers.

I'm not asking for a show of hands here, but think about this. In the wake of the recent recovery how many of our friends, family members, maybe even ourselves have found work again, but not a "good job"? The new jobs are primarily under 30 hours a week, no benefits, sometimes temporary or seasonal, and overwhelmingly lower-paying than before — even for professional work.

I know too many people who fall into this category. There was a time when this was normal, even understandable in rural areas, or undeveloped regions of our nation. Only now this is the reality in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, anywhere Americans are working. It's a far cry from an employment recovery and an even further cry from a return to good jobs.

By listening to the politicians and the media you would think the streets in America are paved with jobs, bursting with opportunities. If you want to work 19 to 29 hours a week for $9.50 an hour, then yes, that is true. This is the economy for you. The streets are paved with jobs. Everywhere you look you can pick up 20-something hours a week and take home upward of $250 a paycheck.

If having no benefits, no security and the promise of making almost $15,000 a year is "back to business" for you and your family, then yes, this is a great economic recovery.

There are two disturbing dynamics about this trend. The first being it does not count those who have given up looking or been marginalized by massive underemployment. In addition, this is not due to a vacuum of education or population. This underemployment has cut across all professions, education, skill groups and ages. I know many lawyers who are not, and have never really been able to support themselves with their law degrees. One who comes to mind works as a bartender, another in phone sales and buried in student debt.

For the duration of this "recovery" I've noticed (strictly anecdotal observation, not a scientific study) the most consistently busy places are pharmacies and liquor stores. That sounds less like a nation in recovery and more like a population that is self-medicating.

What we need in America is an honest look in the mirror and a game plan to move forward. Is the America of the future a nation of barely employed, indebted citizens dependent on government programs because the private sector has cut them out?

The stock market has doubled, but our hours got cut. I can't wait to see the good times when the unemployment rate goes up again.

Jesse Migneault of Avon is a writer and not one of the 44 percent with a full-time job.